At the Oncology Unit of Fawcett Memorial Hospital, we understand that cancer is a frightening diagnosis to face. This is why our oncology team provides compassionate care within a supportive, friendly environment. Our services are designed with convenience and accessibility in mind. A few of our cancer care services include chemotherapy administration, blood transfusions, bronchoscopy, endoscopy, and neutropenic precautions. We help cancer patients and their families cope with pain management services, hospice care, and telemetry services.

At our hospital in Port Charlotte, we encourage members of our community to become proactive about their well-being with our support groups, “I Can Cope” series, and free health screenings. Additionally, our Oncology Unit strives to stay on the cutting-edge of cancer research by participating in clinical trials of emerging treatments.

These are just a few of the services you’ll find at the Oncology Unit of Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. For more information about our healthcare services, including emergency care, cardiac care, and senior care, visit us on the Web or call (888) 685-1599.

The cardiac care team at Fawcett Memorial Hospital is firmly committed to rapid response, prompt diagnostics, and high precision to ensure better outcomes for our patients. You can learn more about cardiac care at our hospital by watching this video, which features interviews with patients, their family members, and some of our specialists.

These patients and professionals describe how our hospital implements our slogan, “Our family caring for yours,” every day. At Fawcett Memorial Hospital, all of our team members treat each patient as they would their own family. Within our patient-centered environment, you’ll find state-of-the-art technology and innovative solutions for cardiac patients.

Sometimes, the signs of a medical emergency are clear, such as when an individual collapses and falls unconscious. At other times, medical emergencies are indicated by much more subtle symptoms. It’s important to recognize the signs of a medical emergency and to seek emergency care promptly when necessary. If you’re ever unsure of whether you might need emergency care, you can call your doctor or 911 for assistance.

Identifying Signs of Stroke

When a stroke occurs, every minute matters. The sooner a stroke victim receives emergency care, the better the chances of survival and a favorable long-term outcome. Stroke is recognizable by symptoms such as a sudden onset of confusion, dizziness, loss of balance and coordination, and vision impairment. Stroke typically affects one side of the body with symptoms such as numbness and weakness.

Understanding Symptoms of a Heart Attack

The classic sign of a heart attack is chest pain. While many other medical conditions can cause chest pain, you should get emergency care if this symptom arises, just in case. However, not everyone will experience chest pain with a heart attack. Women in particular may be more likely to experience subtle symptoms, such as jaw pain, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, and lightheadedness.

Responding to Allergic Reactions

Many allergic reactions are mild and do not require emergency care, such as if you develop allergic contact dermatitis from contact with a particular substance. However, some individuals may suffer from anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Some common signs of anaphylaxis include airway constriction, difficulty breathing, wheezing, fainting, dizziness, skin reactions, and a weak or rapid pulse. If a life-threatening allergic reaction occurs, that patient requires an injection of epinephrine and a prompt trip to the emergency room.

The Emergency Care Center at Fawcett Memorial Hospital is pleased to serve residents of Port Charlotte, North Port, and Punta Gorda with exceptional emergency medical services. Our Primary Stroke Center and Chest Pain Center have both received accreditation in recognition of our commitment to excellence. If you require emergency care, please call 911; otherwise, you can reach our hospital at (888) 685-1599.

Recently, the American Cancer Society updated its guidelines with regard to screening for cervical cancer. The organization now recommends that women begin screening at the age of 21 and that they undergo Pap tests every three years until the age of 29. Following that, women are advised to undergo both Pap tests and HPV screenings every five years until the age of 65.

You can hear more about these updated guidelines by watching this video. You’ll learn under which circumstances women might cease screening and why screening too frequently may actually be harmful. Remember that these are general guidelines; you can talk to your physician to establish a screening schedule that is right for your unique needs.

Fawcett Memorial Hospital provides women throughout Punta Gorda, North Port, and Port Charlotte with comprehensive women’s services at every stage of life. You can visit our website to learn more or call our Consult-A-Nurse referral line at (888) 685-1599.

Sometimes, wounds don’t heal as they normally would. This can be due to an underlying medical condition such as diabetes. A number of treatment options are available for slow healing wounds, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The patient is placed inside a hyperbaric chamber. The chamber itself is adjusted so that the patient receives 100 percent oxygen at a greater pressure than usual. Sometimes, patients can receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy with a gas mask.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can accelerate wound healing because oxygen at the wound site is critical for proper healing. This type of treatment can be helpful for those with many types of wounds, including thermal burns, delayed radiation injuries, skin grafts, and others. After receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy, you may feel a little tired or lightheaded. These symptoms typically resolve themselves within a little while. Serious risks associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy are rare; however, you should talk to your doctor about these risks before receiving therapy.

Fawcett Memorial Hospital provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other specialized services in our wound management center. Residents of North Port, Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda can contact us at (888) 685-1599 with questions about our healthcare services, including cardiac care and senior care.